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Rescue Yellowing Houseplants With A Popular Kitchen Essential
By KATE NICHOLSON
Houseplants might turn yellow for several reasons. For yellow leaves caused by high soil pH, nutrient issues, and infections, diluted kitchen vinegar might be your savior.
Ericaceous plants like violets hate lime-based, alkaline soil. If vinegar fizzes in contact with the dirt, it likely contains lime — adjust the pH to restore your plants’ leaves.
Dilute household vinegar (pH of around 2.4) in water and add to the potting mix to make it more acidic. Some tap water is more alkaline, so balance it with vinegar when watering.
Yellowing can also indicate a nutritional deficiency. Vinegar enhances the nutrients available, while apple cider vinegar contains many beneficial nutrients to add to the soil.
Watering with a vinegar mix can also fix yellowing leaves due to over-fertilization. It can also deter household pests like aphids and spider mites that cause yellowing.
Some experts warn against using vinegar since it can damage your plants’ roots, and the effects are only temporary. They recommend using fertilizer or sulfur to supplement your soil.
Experimenting yourself, however, is the best way to see results. Use the diluted vinegar immediately so its pH doesn’t rise, and use a spray bottle to deter pests.
Read More
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